Tunisia sits on the southern coast of the Mediterranean and boasts some of the best attractions on Africa's northern shores. Touched by the empires of Carthage, Rome, the Ottomans, the French and now Islamic culture, it has been a crossroads of civilisations for millennia. Thanks to this rich and interesting history, Tunisia and popular holiday destination, Hammamet boast plenty of amazing attractions and activities.
Step back in time
With a history as long as Tunisia's, it's easy to be unimpressed with buildings that are only decades old. However, George Sebastian Villa is a remarkable building that has been a feature of Hammamet since the 1930s. This sprawling building has pools, orchards and manicured lawns that are tended to with varying attention depending on what time of year you go. The building itself is impressive and has even gained the attention of Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous American architect, who once said it was "the most beautiful house" he had ever seen. The villa also has historical significance as it once housed Rommel during the German campaign across northern Africa during World War II.
The Great Mosque is one of the most historically and culturally significant features of Hammamet's current skyline. This impressive building is incredibly well-preserved and considered one of the finest in the country and region. Dating back centuries, this mosque has seen many empires come and go but still lingers on and remains a functioning mosque during times of prayer. If you are not a Muslim, you will not be allowed to enter into the Great Mosque and Muslims are only allowed in during times of prayer. You will however have ample opportunities to take photographs of the building's beautiful exterior and of the historic cemetery that is located just in front of the mosque.
Located outside of the city centre, Pupput Roman site is an ancient ruin that provides a glimpse into an oft forgotten period of Hammamet's and Tunisia's history. Many people think of ancient Carthage when they think of Tunisia but overlook the period after Carthage fell and was re-established and governed by Rome. The Pupput ruins are not well-kept like many of the Roman ruins in Europe but it is one of the few left in Africa. The Roman gift of engineering can still be seen in Pupput with the culverts and drainage channels that diverted water in and out of the settlement, creating a once healthy living environment. There are also tiled mosaics throughout the ruins but they are not regularly maintained. If you appreciate ancient artwork, it would be advised to see these beautiful mosaics while they are still intact.
The Kasbah of Hammamet is another popular historic site within the city. Kasbahs are historic fortresses or areas of towns that were built to protect the cities from attack. Often times, the historic leaders of these cities lived within the walls of the Kasbah. The Kasbah in Hammamet overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and now hosts a variety of markets that sell traditional and local goods. There is also a small exhibition in one building that outlines the history of the area. There is a small entry fee to enter this area but the opportunity to take pictures of the ancient ramparts is worth it. Just outside of the Kasbah area is a market with local vendors.
The Yasmin neighbourhood of Hammamet may be a historical area but is completely modernised. This area of town is now where all of the nightlife and popular areas are to enjoy modern culture. The Yasmin neighbourhood is also known as the Marina District of Hammamet and is very laid-back. Just a stone's throw away from the historical areas of town, Yasmin now houses many bars, shops, markets and restaurants. While it is the popular area of town, it is still relatively quiet because Hammamet is still a small town in comparison to many European cities and even Tunis or Marrakesh. It's a perfect area to wander around and spend a relaxing afternoon.
Hammamet's Medina area should not be missed. This historic area of the city dates back centuries. Built as the city centre, it still functions as one of the vital economic areas of Hammamet today. Like many medinas and city centres, it can be very hectic and full of vendors eager to get you to purchase their wares. If you are looking for a scenic stroll, walking through the medina may not be the right option for that day. Shop owners will often yell and try to get your attention to buy from their cart instead of someone else's. Wearing sunglasses and not touching anything is an easy way to deter these vendors from thinking you are interested and pressuring you into buying something. By staying aloof, it can be easier to walk through without feeling uncomfortable or walking away with items you don't want. It can be intimidating to step into another culture's busiest area but it is well worth a trip if you remember that this is their livelihood and not a scenic afternoon for them!
The main historical feature of Tunisia is the Carthaginian ruins. It would be difficult to consider a trip to Tunisia truly complete without a day spent wandering around the ruins of this ancient empire. Carthage was a dominant player on the Mediterranean millennia ago before being sacked by the Roman Empire. The Romans may have waged war and brought down much of Carthage but they did repurpose many significant buildings, which are still intact today. The ruins of Carthage are around an hour's drive away from Hammamet but are easily worth the trip and just as easily arranged through a tour company or a local transportation service. Note: it may be too far for a local taxi to go. At the grounds, there is a small admission fee to pay to enter the grounds but once inside there is a massive amphitheatre, cave, other ruins and a museum dedicated to the majesty and former glory of Carthage.
Get moving!
While deserts may come to mind when thinking of Tunisia, there are countless fantastic golf courses throughout the country, including many close to Hammamet. The Citrus Golf Course has two driving ranges, as well as a nine-hole executive course. The course is primarily geared towards teaching and training those who do not have ample golfing experience, there are plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself, even if you are an experience golfer. The 18-hole course is divided into two sections. The first nine holes of the course are relaxed and relatively straightforward. The back nine holes are much more difficult with many trees, rough terrain and narrow fairways to challenge even skilled golfers.
If you'd really like to try something new while on holiday, the Zizou Paintball Club will challenge you physically and tactically. Zizou is the first paintball course in Hammamet and still regarded as the best. In this club, groups compete together to eliminate the other team. Rather than working individually, working together is great to spend time bonding together while on holiday, even if it does involve aiming at each other with dye shells. Because Zizou is located in the open spaces outside of Hammamet, the course is much larger than what is typically found in Europe and North America.
There is also the Paintball Tunisie course just outside of Hammamet. This paintball course is owned by a larger company that operates others throughout the country of Tunisia. This course is much more elaborate than that of Zizou and has manmade obstacles to create a more challenging experience. At Paintball Tunisie, you can use the course in smaller groups and even zip line over certain areas of the course.
Keep the kids happy and head to Friguia Park, which is located just outside of the city centre of Hammamet. This zoo and wildlife area is built on a hill that is far away from the hustle and bustle of Tunisian city streets. Here, you can take a break from city life and enjoy a stroll through the grounds observing animals like big cats, sea lions and dolphins. One unique aspect of this zoo is that you can walk over the big cat enclosure area on a suspended platform. It may be a scary experience for those who don't like heights but will no doubt be a fun and memorable experience for everyone else.
Don't let the name fool you; Carthageland Hammamet is anything but ancient. This historically named area is actually an amusement and water park. The park is themed after the ancient empire of Carthage, which is a few hours' drive away from Hammamet. There are several roller coasters and water rides throughout the park and they will have many of the same height and weight restrictions that parks in Europe do. Carthageland can be a fun afternoon for the children but if they are still quite small, they will not be allowed to ride on any of the features in the park. If you have any concerns about the restrictions, your hotel can assure you of what they are before you buy tickets or make the trek.
For a spot of shopping, the Center Commercial is the place to go. This shopping centre has had a revolving door of different shops in it but has been popular with locals throughout the years. This is a good place to come if you're looking for a particular souvenir or item while on holiday but can't face the frenetic experience of hitting the souks. While Center Commerical is primarily a shopping destination, there are also art exhibitions and cafes on-site, too.
Nature's finest
No trip to Hammamet would be complete without enjoying a lazy day on of its famous beaches. The most notable is Hammamet Beach. The city is regarded as the Tunisian St. Tropez because of its fine white sand beaches, and Hammamet Beach certainly lives up to its glowing reputation. This long stretch of beach is popular with tourists and locals alike, so it is common for the beach to be packed with people almost year-round. However, the busy season for the beach starts in May and ends in September. If you are travelling to Hammamet during this time, the beaches will be particularly busy and if not, the beaches may be quieter but less well-kept as the majority of maintenance is conducted during the busy season. During the summer, you can enjoy horseback riding, water sports and other active pursuits that take full advantage of the beautiful beach setting. There are also several companies that rent umbrellas and parasols if you'd rather just kick back and relax.